If you build it they won't come
Border control might become reality with increased patrol, fence
Brendan Block
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Forum
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On the national level, President Bush is in the process of doubling the quota of U.S. Border Patrol Agents on the southwest border as an initiative to help solve this hot-button issue.
Creiglow explained the process that will last five and a half months.
He has already had an exam, fitness test, oral board interviews and background checks.
If all goes well, Creiglow will spend his summer at the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico.
"I hear a lot about the illegal immigration issue, and the problem frustrates me," said Creiglow. "Although it was not my dream to become a Border Patrol Agent, being a Federal Agent and patrolling the southwest border on bike, horseback and going on search and rescue missions excited me."
Creiglow eventually wants to work as a Special Agent for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The increased number of Border Patrol agents has already begun to affect drug trafficking.
According to the U.S. Border Patrol, drug seizures decreased from 826, 520 lbs. in October 2006 to February 2007 to 714,759 lbs. from October 2007 to February 2008 for marijuana. Cocaine seizures also went down 1,800 ounces.
All of this can be credited to increased border patrol as the Secure Border Initiative is keeping more illegal drugs and illegal immigrants out of our country.
Discussion and implementation of the border fence must also ensue. The issue has floated like a hot air balloon around Washington since Congress voted to pass the Secure Fence Act of 2006 with an 80-19 vote in the Senate.
All three presidential contenders voted to build the border fence, but Barack Obama has expressed regret for his vote. As of late March, 309 miles of border fence are in place and there are 361 miles still to go to reach the agreed number of 670 miles voted upon.
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